God, Struggle, and Suffering in the Evolution of Life - (Hardcover)

About the Book

Focuses on conversation with six scholars concerning the theological suffering in the non-human world, over millions of years.

Book Synopsis

This open access book stems from a unique set of conversations between six scholars concerned with the theological problem of suffering in the non-human world over millions of years.

How is the confession of the Christian God compatible with all the struggle, violence and suffering to which the Darwinian world testifies? This work identifies key fault lines in this rapidly growing debate - over the questions of resistance to the divine will in the non-human creation in particular. Is the picture of the biological world we derive from the sciences indicative of a profound resistance, distorting the character of creation? If so, what is the origin and character of this resistance? Or is it unnecessary to postulate such resistance before the evolution of human beings and their sin? Or is an intermediate position, in which some specific characteristics hint at resistance, the most coherent approach?

Six leading academic press on this question in a way that illustrates the quality of the conversation we have been able to achieve in our colloquia. As such it also provides a model for how theology can be done collaboratively, respecting diversity of positions and using that diversity to advance the frontiers of debate.

The eBook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license on bloomsburycollections.com. Open Access was funded by the University of Exeter, Baylor University, and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

Review Quotes

"Whether you are new the debates surrounding theodicy and the suffering of animals or looking for the next chapter in the conversation, Southgate and crew offer robust and engaging dialogue that remembers-as so few do-that animals an integral part of creation and its redemption." --D. T. Everhart, London School of Theology, UK

"Though we often read the polished reflections of theologians on the problem of evil, rarely can we watch them as they struggle with suffering in the world. This short book gives you front-row seats as six Christian scholars meet and discuss how best to understand nature 'red in tooth and claw'. The richness of the debate on animal suffering offers readers a wealth of options to choose from ? but also an inspiring model of positive Christian dialogue across differences that (one hopes) will be widely emulated." --Philip Clayton, Claremont School of Theology, USA

These leading scholars address a fundamental problem in the interaction between Christian theology and the natural sciences: the problem of theodicy as it arises in the evolution of life. Their method is highly creative, engaging, and unique: After defining the problem, the authors develop provocative and constructive responses through intensive interactions with each other. The book concludes with an analysis of common positions, remaining problems, and suggestions for future work. I most highly recommend this book to all those who have struggled with the challenge to faith posed by suffering in nature.
Robert Russell, Graduate Theological Union, USA

Though we often read the polished reflections of theologians on the problem of evil, rarely can we watch them as they struggle with suffering in the world. This short book gives you front-row seats as six Christian scholars meet and discuss how best to understand nature 'red in tooth and claw'. The richness of the debate on animal suffering offers readers a wealth of options to choose from ? but also an inspiring model of positive Christian dialogue across differences that (one hopes) will be widely emulated.
Philip Clayton, Claremont School of Theology, USA

Whether you are new the debates surrounding theodicy and the suffering of animals or looking for the next chapter in the conversation, Southgate and crew offer robust and engaging dialogue that remembers-as so few do-that animals an integral part of creation and its redemption.
D. T. Everhart, London School of Theology, UK

About the Author

Christopher Southgate is Professor of Christian Theodicy at the University of Exeter, UK.

Paul S. Fiddes is Professor of Systematic Theology in the University of Oxford, and is Director of Research at Regent's Park College, Oxford, UK.

Michael Lloyd is the Principle of Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford, UK.

Neil Messer is Professor of Theological Bioethics at the University of Baylor, USA.

Bethany Sollereder is Lecturer in Science & Religion at the University of Edinburgh, UK.

Mark R. Wynn is Nolloth Professor of the Philosophy of the Christian Religion at the University of Oxford, UK.